Romero: POC, PSC need new leadership

MANILA, Philippines - 1-Pacman party-list Rep. Michael Romero urged yesterday officials of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to give way to young blood to allow the country to improve its standing in international competitions.

Romero, a sports benefactor and owner of GlobalPort Batang Pier basketball team in the PBA, said reforming the POC and the PSC will greatly improve the country’s chances in bagging gold medals in the Olympics and other international sports competitions.

“Some of the members of the PSC should give the younger generation to help and improve the sports industry,” Romero told reporters.

“We need young faces and new minds in the PSC,” he said.

The lawmaker did not categorically ask the PSC and POC officials to resign but said they should have a “graceful exit.”

There have been persistent reports of corruption and power struggles in the two agencies in the past several years.

He said despite well-meaning efforts from various stakeholders, including the private sector in the past several years, the Philippines’ harvest of gold medals in the Olympics and other prestigious games had been very poor.

He said the appointment – or election in the case of the POC – of young and competent sports officials is part of the long-term plan to create a Department of Sports in the incoming 17th Congress.

“When we win in international sports competitions or boxing, like when Manny Pacquiao won, the entire nation is electrified and that greatly contributes to love for country and nationalism,” Romero said.